Live Rock Hitchhikers: Chiton and Whelk – 10/9/09
<Hello Glenn, Lynn here this evening.>
I was hoping you could confirm a couple of live rock hitchhikers and maybe give some more information.
<Will sure try.>
Currently I got 50 lbs. of live rock curing in quarantine and I came across these two beauties.
<Neat! The pinkish, mottled, low-rider is a beneficial, herbivorous Chiton. The black and yellow snail is a whelk of some sort.>
Should I remove them or are they reef and invert safe?
<Keep the Chiton, lose the whelk.>
This rock will eventually end up in my 180 gallon tank with fish, squamosa clam, diadema urchin, snails, Acropora and Montipora coral.
<Nice!>
I believe one is a flat worm maybe a Polyclad but not sure.
<Good news, it’s not! It’s a neat little Chiton (Polyplacophoran). For more information, please see the following link:
http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=298&p=3108&hilit=chiton#p3108 >
The other is a snail in the Buccinidae family.
<Oh yes indeed. It’s a whelk alright, and very similar to one I’ve seen before. It’s in the family Buccinidae Pisaniinae, most likely in the genus Engina (Pusiostoma), and I wouldn’t trust it around a corner. Please see the FAQ titled “Black and yellow snail ID: Engina (Pusiostoma) sp. - 5/2/08” at the following link for more information and a photo: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailid16.htm
Here are two possibilities (knowing location of origin will help rule in/out possibilities): Engina histrio: http://www.gastropods.com/0/Shell_53500.shtml
Or Engina alveolata fusiformis: http://www.gastropods.com/0/Shell_20970.shtml
More from this genus at this link: http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/TN_Family_BUCCINIDAE_PISANIINAE.shtml >
In addition I have about ten Aiptasia or Anemonia that I’ve got to get rid of
<Good thinking - get rid of any pest anemones now.>
..and identify three little crabs.
<Next time you see them, count the walking legs. Do they have three on each side plus two claws, or four on each side (plus claws)? In general, three legs = porcelain crab of some sort and not likely much of a problem. Four legs = true crab and a potential concern. If you can get some good photos, do send them along and we’ll take a look. If possible, leave the crab submerged in tank/container while photographing. Include a shot from above showing the carapace and all legs, and one from the front showing the claws. You can learn a lot about a crab from just looking at those claws!>
All I can say is quarantining my live rock has saved me a ton of trouble down the road.
<You are wise, grasshopper! Good luck and enjoy!>
Glenn
<Take care, LynnZ>

Sponge I.D. 9/28/09
Hi Crew,
Have a sponge id I'm hoping you guys can confirm or help with a kick in the right direction. I know they're hard to id due to the 1000's of species, but after scouring databases and WWM, I believe this to be Spirastrella vagabunda.
<Mmm... I don't think so, but...>
I have thought this from their first appearance on the new live rock, but they have spread to 50% of the live rock(colonies approximately the size of quarters and dimes) in a 55 gallon aquarium in less than 3 weeks. I wasn't aware of this species reproducing at such high rates.
Hopefully the pictures aren't absolutely horrible. I'm an avid diver and aquarist.... but a HORRIBLE photographer. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
--
~ Glenn
<Your pix show definitely some sort of sponge, but also I think an encrusting algae... Definitive ID to at least Class... could be done with a simple microscope and reference. Bob Fenner>

Growth on Rocks 9/16/09
I have a greenish encrusting substance growing and spreading on my rocks.
<I see this...>
It was recommended that a pencil urchin be introduced to eliminate it.
<Nah... not an algae; even if so, not all are palatable...>
The urchin has been in the tank for 2 months and will not touch it. I have a 180 gallon mixed reef with a remote sump, total system is estimated at 200 gallons. The tank has been running for 3 years. It's lightly stocked with 2 tangs, royal Gramma, six line wrasse, 2 clowns, mandarin. Tangs are the largest but no fish is over 3 inches. I cannot take the rock out of the tank as it is too large and is the base for the upper rocks. I can peel this off the rocks but cannot get all of it. Picture is attached. Please identify this for me and recommend a treatment, as it is spreading out of control and suffocating my corals.
Thanks in advance
R DeNoia
<Is almost assuredly a type/species of Sponge/Poriferan... Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/spongecompfaqs.htm
re Control, and the linked files above for more. The presence, growth of this life is evidence of your good care, stability here. Bob Fenner>

Hitchhiker ID 9/7/09
Hi Crew,
<Hello Tony>
I'm trying to ID something in my tank that showed up on a piece of live rock that I recently purchased. I've been searching for a while trying to figure out what it is with no luck. It kinda looks like aiptasia but I'm
not 100% sure and wanted a second opinion.
<Not aiptasia, but appears to be another type of small anemone, Bob may accurately ID here.>
Also there is some white stuff kinda behind it that you can see in the pic.
Is that some type of sponge? I've never seen anything like it.
<Yes, likely a Clathrina specie of sponge, commonly called a Leather Sponge.>
Thank you in advance for your help.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Tony Watson

please help me tag these 8/30/2009
Hi!
<G' morrow Mr. G.>
I Googled long and hard trying to identify what this white cotton-like, flat hairy film is on my live rocks. I thought you might be able to help me identify them so I know what these may be symptomatic of. I hope the pics are clear enough for your perusal. Thanks.
Geoffrey
<These are Sponges, Poriferans... evidence of system stability and good husbandry on your part. See here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/SpongeIDF10.htm
and the linked files above.
Bob Fenner>

Unknown Critter..can you help me out   7/18//09
Hey folks!
<Daniel>
First time post here...Let me just say first that your site has provided me a wealth of information over the years.
<Ah good>
I recently (about 6 months ago now) started up a reef tank again (I had one going great when living in St. Pete FL but moved to Ohio 2 years ago to start Ph.D. work so I had to get rid of everything to make the move easier)...anyway...as I was saying, I started up again as I could not go without the beauty of reef tank (... it certainly helps relax me at the end of a school day!!) and everything appears to be doing ok...I really just have a quick question about this critter(s) that came attached to a piece of live rock and has been getting larger. I attached a pic...I want to say that it is a mushroom coral of some sort (or not..lol) but it appears to have several 'mouths' which I have circled here in yellow. They are not as prominent in this pic but throughout the day each of these 'mouths' open and extend the tentacles that surround them...I've looked WWM up and down yet I am still at a loss...if you could help me out that would be wonderful!....Thanks in advance!
Take care,
Daniel
<I can't quite make out much detail in this pic (am out traveling and my laptop may not have sufficient "pitch"/resolution, but this might be a combination of organisms... Perhaps a sponge with hydroids or other life living inside its body cavity... Would you please send along a larger file of better acuity? Bob Fenner>

Hitchhiker ID: Rock-Dwelling Sea Cucumber – 6/17/09
Hi again,
<Hello Elfrieda, Lynn here today.>
Another puzzler for me....6 months into the set-up of my 24gal Aquapod w/ metal halide light. It appears to be some sort of worm perhaps???
<Actually, what you’re seeing is the feeding apparatus of a rock-dwelling sea cucumber/holothuroid. For more information, please start with the FAQ’s titled ”Please help to ID: Sea Cucumber – 6/1/09” and “Anemone Id? Nope, It’s A Cuke! 8/10/07”, located at the following link: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cukeidfaqs.htm . Please also note links within the two FAQ’s.>
The second time I've seen it on the same rock....and the last picture is just before it disappeared.
<Nice photos!>
Thanks so very much for your time.
<You’re very welcome>
Elfrieda
<Take care, LynnZ>

Re: Hitchhiker ID: Rock-Dwelling Sea Cucumber – 6/17/09
<Hi Elfrieda>
Another look at this stranger....
<Neat!>
Its tentacles appear to be catching food and one by one are drawn into its 'mouth'.
<Good observations - that’s exactly what it’s doing!>
Thanks again,
<You’re very welcome>
Elfrieda
<Take care, LynnZ>
<<A nice short video clip... that RMF doesn't know how to add to WWM...>>

Thick Brown Tubes Growing From Live Rock 6/17/09
Hello,
<Hi there>
Your site has been a wealth of information, thank you so much. It's been a good 12 years since I maintained a small 20 gallon reef aquarium in CA where I did water changes with sea water and enjoyed all the surprises that came along with it oftentimes. This year, as I embark on setting up a reef tank once again, I find there is so much more knowledge about reef systems and it's wonderful. I am having so much fun reading all the information online and learning so much.
<Great!>
I have an identification inquiry about some thick brown tubes that have grown from a piece of live rock covered with Star Polyps in my reef system.
<Are sponges of some sort... a burrowing variety/species... Not harmful>
Any input is greatly appreciated, thank you!
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>